Deepsand a shore thing at Haydock for Alexander Thorne

Conditional jockey Alexander Thorne rode out his 10lb claim when Deepsand sprang a 25-1 surprise at Haydock. Once a useful juvenile for Tim Easterby, the eight-year-old had lost his way but has been nursed back to form by Lucinda Russell, with Thorne a big part of the horse's renaissance. Deepsand held off Vocaliser by a neck in the opening two-mile handicap hurdle, with Raise A Spark back in third."Alexander rides him all the time," said assistant trainer Peter Scudamore."The owner sent him to us on the proviso that one person did all the work on him, s o the credit must go to the owner and Alexander as it has worked. "That's his (Thorne's) fifth winner, so unfortunately he's lost his 10lb now as he could do with it a bit longer."He needs to get stronger in a finish but he's very good over an obstacle."